School Life

Peek inside Japanese school life — from sports festivals and cleaning routines to the spirit of teamwork and respect learned in every classroom.

: Undo-kai: Japan’s Beloved School Sports Day

competition, japan, japanese education, japanese school event, school culture, sports day, students, Teamwork, undo-kai

Every year, schools across Japan hold a lively event known as Undo-kai (運動会) — the school Sports Day.It’s not just about winning races or games.Undo-kai is a day that brings together children, teachers, and families to celebrate teamwork, effort, and community spirit. A Celebration Beyond the Classroom Traditionally held in autumn, Undo-kai has long been one of the most anticipated school events in Japan.With recent climate changes and hotter autumns, many schools now host it in May or June, when the weather is milder. The entire school spends weeks practicing dances, relays, and fun team competitions.Children are usually divided into ...